Game Thread: Lady Vols v NC State, Away, Wed., 4PM, ESPN2, Tues Nov 4th

[VolBalls33]

I didn't get to watch the 1st half at all, only the 2nd half. Looking at the box score why did Civil play only 13 minutes? At least from what I saw she played aggressive and looked good. Spearman and Prawl played too much. I know it's just the first game though. Spearman is a senior leader, but Prawl and Civil are both freshman, just was surprised to see Civil play so few minutes.

 

[madtownvol]

Always disappointing to lose a close game but no need to overreact to this result. 9 beating 8! On their home court can happen, particularly when Zee had a bad shooting night. But barker and Coop look ready to carrying some offensive load,

My one worry is that the team had the same defensive breakdowns as last year. Over committing on the press and getting best for a layup via the over the top pass and being very soft in the middle of the defense, That stuff needs to get fixed fast.

 

[TnVolsX4]

The thing I am worried about is the blueprint that comes from a game like this
When subbing we have to be more deliberate
there is a time to mass sub and a time to sub for purpose and that is what our focus should be on moving forward

Mass subs should go out the window in the last 5 minutes or so. The game slows down anyway.

 

[volsagain]

Need the best 5 first 3 minutes and last 3 minutes of each quarter. That gives your best 28 minutes a game with top competition. Now with less competition you could cut that number down to 2 each just to get the experience with the rest of your team. Start and end each quarter strong they get a rest between quarters and should be ready to go. Of course foul trouble can change any certain players.

 

[Coach Jumper]

I didn't get to watch the 1st half at all, only the 2nd half. Looking at the box score why did Civil play only 13 minutes? At least from what I saw she played aggressive and looked good. Spearman and Prawl played too much. I know it's just the first game though. Spearman is a senior leader, but Prawl and Civil are both freshman, just was surprised to see Civil play so few minutes.

Civil played 10 mins in H1 and 3 in H2

Mass subs should go out the window in the last 5 minutes or so. The game slows down anyway.

One of my most influential coaching mentors had an maxim he use to say to me after a close battle :
"Players win and lose battles of 5 points or more, coaches win or lose battles of 4 or less"

It was a hard lesson for me, but one that I knew if a game I was in was coming down to the wire in a tight race,,,the outcome was in my hands

Mass subbing didn't hurt us and kept us within a few points either way throughout the game...personnel used at the end might have changed the outcome. There is a time to go with your plan and a time to modify it...Wes Moore was visibly confused for most of the game as to how to stop this strategy, but somewhere it clicked and Kim or who ever is calling the game-plan (not the game,,,the game-strategy) has to recognize this and be able to do the same thing

 

[GameTime]

I was disappointed at how long it took our team to adjust to the refs quick whistle if we just "touched" an NCS player...NCS did not suffer with that malady...End of second quarter showed their bias with extreme prejudice.

Our girls fell into the same full court press syndrome of "over playing" the press and too often ending up on the wrong side of the ball, leaving an open lane to our goal....

Wolfenbarger and Spearman had games to forget, or at least of what not to do...They did struggle at both ends of the court.

The positive the team got is they saw that each possession, in college ball, is a mini game unto itself...The other team, or refs, do not care about any problems you may have had prior to the game....Tighten up ladies.

It was almost written that the team would miss Ruby on the court more than they expected/feared...She was a veteran player that was desperately needed too many times.

In any event, it was a great learning experience for our freshmen.

 

[Volfan2012]

The major reason for the loss first free throws. We foul to much or we get called for fouls to much. We can't lose the foul line and we probably will if were going to take 33 threes in a game.

Reason two was substitution malpractice. I don't know which coach was handling that, but they did a very poor in this game. How do you let Jaida Civil play only 13 minutes when she is 5 for 7 from the field and 2 of 2 from the three. Then there is Alyssa Latham clearly the second best post player yesterday getting only 4 shots of which she made two and only 16 minutes. I could also see a reason for Mya Pauldo to get more than two minutes based on her play in the exhibition game.

Then the players getting the minutes that did not perform Prawl 1 for 6 in 22 minutes, Spearman 1 for 8 close to 30 minutes, Boyd 0 points in 8 minutes and Wolfenbarger 0 in 10 minutes. If you going to sub as much as we do at least target the players that are playing well and let them play the bulk of the minutes. We had way to many players having bad games playing to much and players performing sitting on the bench.

I hope in the next five games which we should win them all that coaches get a better handle on who to play. Yesterday was extremely poor decision making by the staff on who should've been in the game.

 

[1morevol]

Regarding complaints about the low number of assists. A pass to an open teammate is not an assist when said teammate misses the shot. The low assist number is mitigated to some degree by the 39% shooting percentage, 27% on three point shots.

 

[knoxvol52]

The major reason for the loss first free throws. We foul to much or we get called for fouls to much. We can't lose the foul line and we probably will if were going to take 33 threes in a game.

Reason two was substitution malpractice. I don't know which coach was handling that, but they did a very poor in this game. How do you let Jaida Civil play only 13 minutes when she is 5 for 7 from the field and 2 of 2 from the three. Then there is Alyssa Latham clearly the second best post player yesterday getting only 4 shots of which she made two and only 16 minutes. I could also see a reason for Mya Pauldo to get more than two minutes based on her play in the exhibition game.

Then the players getting the minutes that did not perform Prawl 1 for 6 in 22 minutes, Spearman 1 for 8 close to 30 minutes, Boyd 0 points in 8 minutes and Wolfenbarger 0 in 10 minutes. If you going to sub as much as we do at least target the players that are playing well and let them play the bulk of the minutes. We had way to may players having bad games playing to much and players performing sitting on the bench.

I hope in the next five games which we should win them all that coaches get a better handle on who to play. Yesterday was extremely poor decision making by the staff on who should've been in the game.

Honestly I would rather see each unit getting 5 minutes each thru 3 quarters and in 4 th quarter go primarily with the players that are performing he best.but that's just me...

 

[PRG]

The major reason for the loss first free throws. We foul to much or we get called for fouls to much. We can't lose the foul line and we probably will if were going to take 33 threes in a game.

Reason two was substitution malpractice. I don't know which coach was handling that, but they did a very poor in this game. How do you let Jaida Civil play only 13 minutes when she is 5 for 7 from the field and 2 of 2 from the three. Then there is Alyssa Latham clearly the second best post player yesterday getting only 4 shots of which she made two and only 16 minutes. I could also see a reason for Mya Pauldo to get more than two minutes based on her play in the exhibition game.

Then the players getting the minutes that did not perform Prawl 1 for 6 in 22 minutes, Spearman 1 for 8 close to 30 minutes, Boyd 0 points in 8 minutes and Wolfenbarger 0 in 10 minutes. If you going to sub as much as we do at least target the players that are playing well and let them play the bulk of the minutes. We had way to may players having bad games playing to much and players performing sitting on the bench.

I hope in the next five games which we should win them all that coaches get a better handle on who to play. Yesterday was extremely poor decision making by the staff on who should've been in the game.

Has anyone else noticed Wolfenbarget’s inability to catch a pass under the goal or have any strength holding onto the ball? Much less being able to make the bunny ?
It just seems to me to be a trend ! Just Saying

 

[Skooter]

Regarding complaints about the low number of assists. A pass to an open teammate is not an assist when said teammate misses the shot. The low assist number is mitigated to some degree by the 39% shooting percentage, 27% on three point shots.

There was a lot of 4 players standing and watching somebody go 1v 1, including tied late in the game as we watched a freshman force a bad attempt, just staring and watching her.
Same thing on D. Just watch layup after layup.
A lot to work on before blaming refs for anything.

 

[Rickster]

Even though this was the 1st game for 8 players on the home floor of a top 10 team, losing still sux

 

[winkles18]

 

[Coach Jumper]

The major reason for the loss first free throws. We foul to much or we get called for fouls to much. We can't lose the foul line and we probably will if were going to take 33 threes in a game.

Reason two was substitution malpractice. I don't know which coach was handling that, but they did a very poor in this game. How do you let Jaida Civil play only 13 minutes when she is 5 for 7 from the field and 2 of 2 from the three. Then there is Alyssa Latham clearly the second best post player yesterday getting only 4 shots of which she made two and only 16 minutes. I could also see a reason for Mya Pauldo to get more than two minutes based on her play in the exhibition game.

Then the players getting the minutes that did not perform Prawl 1 for 6 in 22 minutes, Spearman 1 for 8 close to 30 minutes, Boyd 0 points in 8 minutes and Wolfenbarger 0 in 10 minutes. If you going to sub as much as we do at least target the players that are playing well and let them play the bulk of the minutes. We had way to may players having bad games playing to much and players performing sitting on the bench.

I hope in the next five games which we should win them all that coaches get a better handle on who to play. Yesterday was extremely poor decision making by the staff on who should've been in the game.

well thought out and written 2012 ;o)

Has anyone else noticed Wolfenbarget’s inability to catch a pass under the goal or have any strength holding onto the ball? Much less being able to make the bunny ?
It just seems to me to be a trend ! Just Saying

She is exceptionally athletic for such a height, but indeed if it not an unguarded feed she has shown an inability to create post-moves....that is curable though

There was a lot of 4 players standing and watching somebody go 1v 1, including tied late in the game as we watched a freshman force a bad attempt, just staring and watching her.
Same thing on D. Just watch layup after layup.
A lot to work on before blaming refs for anything.

The back-door was open so many times that "flies" were having a picnic...we must incorporate a back-door cut once the ball passes mid-court instead of the two baseline shooters camping out,,,,I run a back-door option like this...

Once the ball crosses midcourt and before it reaches the arc, I have a weakside base-line shooter cut to the goal and if they are not open, reverse pivot and go back to their side, while the other side does the same thin...this way I can use either strategy,,,camp out and extend the open floor or make the defense worry about my option

 

[1morevol]

There was a lot of 4 players standing and watching somebody go 1v 1, including tied late in the game as we watched a freshman force a bad attempt, just staring and watching her.
Same thing on D. Just watch layup after layup.
A lot to work on before blaming refs for anything.

You are correct. There will be fewer assists when there is no coherent half court offense and too much one on one play. Most games, I can see missed or bad calls going both ways. Blaming the refs is a loser mentality and often times blinds fans to an honest assessment of their teams performance.

 

[RetroVol]

Has anyone else noticed Wolfenbarget’s inability to catch a pass under the goal or have any strength holding onto the ball? Much less being able to make the bunny ?
It just seems to me to be a trend ! Just Saying

Yup.

 

[VolBall09]

Has anyone else noticed Wolfenbarget’s inability to catch a pass under the goal or have any strength holding onto the ball? Much less being able to make the bunny ?
It just seems to me to be a trend ! Just Saying

Always been a problem for her. Was hoping it would be better. She has butter fingers under the basket. She’s always trying to make her move before she has secured the ball. Order of operation is important in the paint. Secure the ball first, then make your move.

 

[Rooster1]

Need the best 5 first 3 minutes and last 3 minutes of each quarter. That gives your best 28 minutes a game with top competition. Now with less competition you could cut that number down to 2 each just to get the experience with the rest of your team. Start and end each quarter strong they get a rest between quarters and should be ready to go. Of course foul trouble can change any certain players.

2 X 3 = 6
4 X 6 = 24

 

[volsagain]

2 X 3 = 6
4 X 6 = 24

Yeah but you get what I'm saying and Cooper and Mia probably 32-35 minutes a game. I'm saying don't do a complete 5 out 5 in just 3 in minutes 4-6 then 2 more in to releave the 2 that doesn't come out on first subs .

 

[Volfan2012]

Honestly I would rather see each unit getting 5 minutes each thru 3 quarters and in 4 th quarter go primarily with the players that are performing he best.but that's just me...

I have never liked the substitution pattern, but yesterday was even worse JMO. I understand Spearman needs to play she is a slow starter every season she will come around. Still they can hike up Latham's minutes she is vastly improved one of the few I saw play any defense when she was in there. Civil has 13 points in 13 minutes of play only taking 7 shots yet Coaches thought it was better to play Prawl 1 for 6, and Robertson 3 for 9 more minutes in this game. I realize Civil had three fouls, but that is no reason to not play her just 13 minutes.

I also thought we were not going to go down and jack up a three in the first five to ten seconds of a possession yet we did it six or seven times in that game. We were supposed to have drivers to the basket kicking out for three if defense collapsed yet we shot a lot of threes without even trying to drive. We were not going to let them throw over the top of the press this season and yet they get four or five uncontested layups doing just that. Really disappointing game as we seem to be repeating a lot of the crap we did last year with the same result.

We again lost a one possession game which has become Kim's way of losing since she has been here. The list includes LSU, Oklahoma, Texas, Vandy and a really ugly loss to Georgia last season.

 

[NeedOrange]

Some of you need to come back off the ledge. Just one year ago the best thing to happen to UConn was getting thrashed by the Lady Vol's. LV's were not going to go undefeated and all your goals are still within reach. It's an early season road loss after some severe team trauma.

 

[Volfan2012]

It really wasn't the loss that concerned me that much except that we are repeating the same bad habits that made us lose games last year. The game looked like a replay of several losses last season. Fouling, Jacking threes to early, poor defense, wrong players in the game to many minutes. It all adds up to the same kind of losses we had last season. We were supposed to break the cycle this season remains to be seen if that will happen certainly didn't yesterday.

 

[lvocd]

NC State 80-77 Tennessee (Nov 4, 2025) Box Score - ESPN

Box score for the NC State Wolfpack vs. Tennessee Lady Volunteers NCAAW game from November 4, 2025 on ESPN. Includes all points, rebounds and steals stats.

www.espn.com

Wes Moore pretty much snubbed his nose at CKC and threw down the gauntlet, challenging the idea of using a deep rotation. Check out the distribution of minutes for State…

Agree. It was an impressive display of stubborn determination on the part of NCST to not cave when they got tired (LVs were equally tired), and they pushed through their fatigue and made the most of the opportunities they were given.

The Wolfpack slept well on a really good win last night. The Lady Vols? Probably deeply disappointed and very likely dreading film session today. Few players enjoy watching film, but watching after a close loss in a big game is downright torturous. We'll be all right!

 

[volsagain]

Agree. It was an impressive display of stubborn determination on the part of NCST to not cave when they got tired (LVs were equally tired), and they pushed through their fatigue and made the most of the opportunities they were given.

The Wolfpack slept well on a really good win last night. The Lady Vols? Probably deeply disappointed and very likely dreading film session today. Few players enjoy watching film, but watching after a close loss in a big game is downright torturous. We'll be all right!

Don't be surprised if it takes more than one game. Sometimes bad habits are hard to break. We got caught not hustling a few times back down court and paid the price. You can bet that will show up big time in the film session. 9 new players is a lot to get on track we'll see if it happens . Coaches have got to figure there best 7 for important stretches of the game their still learning also.

 

[lvocd]

It really wasn't the loss that concerned me that much except that we are repeating the same bad habits that made us lose games last year. The game looked like a replay of several losses last season. Fouling, Jacking threes to early, poor defense, wrong players in the game to many minutes. It all adds up to the same kind of losses we had last season. We were supposed to break the cycle this season remains to be seen if that will happen certainly didn't yesterday.

Try not to worry. It was the first game. Seven of our players are still in the early stages of a huge amount of learning new system/UNlearning years-long habits. Remember, Kim warns that it takes time, and we are in that stage of the process.

Gotta give them more time to learn and feel confident and strong. Until they get there, we are likely to sometimes see some newer players reverting to old ways of thinking and failing to do the new behaviors they've been practicing but which haven't yet had time to become second-nature to them. Last night Kim AND the players said they weren't rotating in the press like they were supposed to and had practiced. Basically, in the crunch, they reverted into their old familiar. They'll get better!